HOW TO HIT A FASTBALL WITH POSITIVE BASEBALL DEVELOPMENT

FASTBALLS
with Positive Baseball Development

Buck T.
POSITIVE BASEBALL DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

DATE

11.08.2019

Did you know?

Did you know that hitting a fastball is widely known as one of the most difficult things to do in any sport worldwide?

You have less than half a second for the eyes to pick up the ball and get that info to the brain. From there, the brain must process the info (i.e. pitch location, speed and the body’s ability to get the bat to that location). Not to mention taking a 2 ½ inch round surface to a 2 5/8 or 2 ¾ round surface, from distance with a downward angle, at speed to hit the ball squarely.

With that being the case, how do so many make it look so easy?

This comes from a combination of neuroscience and pseudoscience. I’m not a doctor or a scientist. So, I can’t tell you which part of the brain processes what. I’m a baseball guy and that’s what I know. But what I can tell you is the brain is an amazing thing. Just the ability to process the information needed to do everyday tasks, let alone hit a baseball is truly remarkable! All that being said, I won’t go very deep into the neuroscience of this act.

But what about the pseudoscience? Now this is more my speed! My belief is that repetition can cultivate remarkable abilities in anything. Hitting a baseball is proof of this. Through proper work ethic and a good approach, you will ultimately have the capability to learn how to hit a baseball. You must train yourself to hit a baseball with two simple steps:

Step 1:

Put yourself in a good position! This starts with a good balanced stance and putting your hands in a good position. The mechanics of the swing can be learned through knowledgeable coaching and by feeling the right and wrong ways to do it! John Wooden used to say, “Failing to prepare, is preparing to fail.” So, putting yourself in a good position is key.

Step 2:

Reps Reps Reps! The only way to truly train your brain and body to hit a baseball or softball is by doing it time and time again! This is what gives you the ability to start recognizing pitch location (the ability to decide whether or not you are going to swing is a trained response). This is also what allows you to learn how to get from point A to point B with your bat.

We baseball guys may not know everything about the science behind it. And yes, through training, we have found ways to simplify the act of hitting a ball. But we do know how difficult it is to do on a consistent basis.

Positive Baseball Development has designed multiple programs at the HCI batting cages to help teach boys and girls of all ages. Whether through hit nights, camps, clinics, private lessons, or just hopping in a cage with mom and dad, the first step to learning anything is simply getting out there! We hope to see you soon in the batting cages!